Actuating mechanism.



H, PLETSCH. AOTUATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22,1912.

1,1 1 3,686. Patented Oct. 13, 1914.

fiderW: fl W/ PzeEZ/L @1110; 7* 9 THE NORRIS PEYERS c0. PHOTOLITHUH WASHINGTON. D. 1:.

4 UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY PLnrso or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR "ro Joni LAUNDRY MACHINE COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OEDELAWARE.

I ACTUATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent;

atented Oct. 13, 1914;.

Application filed November 22,1912. Serial llo. 732,963.

provide mechanism whereby a pivotally sup-v ported body may be oscillated back and forth upon a supporting pivot and the direc tion of motion. changed rapidly without shock or jar to the machine. I

I have chosen toillustrate the invention as applied to a Washing machine, and in this form the tub constitutes the oscillating bod Iziccomplish my object by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which Y Figure 1 is a general side elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the operating parts thereof, and Fig. 3 is a detail section taken vertically through the supporting axis of the tub.

In the several views similar numerals de H note like parts. I

The tub 1 is supported upon a frame comprising side beams 2 and cross beams 3 sup ported upon legs 4 and provided with braces 5. Projecting outward from each side of the tub is a pin 6 which bears in a casting 7 mounted on the adjacent side beam 2. The

pins and their supports, therefore, consti-v tute trunnions by w ich the tub is pivotally supported upon the frame. On one side of the frame two pins 10 are located on opposite sides of the tub pivot 6. By preference these pins are supported by suitable extensions of the casting 7. Rocker arms 11 are pivotally supported upon said pins 10 and are articulately connected at their upper ends to a link 12. Between the ends of this link is a pin 13, which is connected both to a connecting rod 14 and the lower end of anactuating spring 15. The upper end of spring 15 is connected to the tub, preferably at or near the upper edgethereof. In the preferred design the upper end of the spring is attached to branches 16 of a casting se cured to the side of the tub and extending down to and formed integral with a hub 17 which holds the pin 6, above mentioned.

Rod 14 is connected to a crank 18 driven by a shaft 19 supported upon a bracket 20 carried by the 'frame of the machine.

' Auxiliary springs 25 and 26 are attached tothe tub preferably near the bottom thereof, where bosses 27 form extensions of the casting l6-17. Said auxiliary springs ex tend diagonally downward, and outward from the tub, their lower ends being attached to a part. of the frame-work, preferablythe lower ends :of the legs 4.. I l

. During (the operation of the 111110111116,

when the crank 18 is rotated, the connecting rod 141 moves back and forth and produces a corresponding movement in the link 12 and lower end ofthe spring 15. This motion causes the body to be oscillated, first in one direction .and then in the opposite direction abo-ut 't hejpivots 6. The springs '25 and 26fserve alternately to assistthe spring 15 in reversing the direction of motion of said solely by means of springs the machine op- 1ezrates very smoothly, without shock of any Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: H

oscillating body pivoted thereto, a pair of rocker arms whose axes of rotation are remote from the axis of oscillation of said body, said arms being pivoted to said frame, a connecting rod, a spring connected at one end to said rod and at the other end to said body, said connecting rod being connected to said rocker arms and having its movement in part controlled by said rocker arms, anal means for actuating said connecting r0 2. In combination, a stationary frame, a pivotallysupported body mounted thereon, a pair of pivotally supported rocker arms whose pivots are remote from the pivot of said body, said arms being pivoted tosaid frame, a link connecting the free ends of said rocker arms,'means for rocking said arms and supported link back and forth, and a spring connected at one end to said link and at the other end to said body.

3. In combination, a stationary frame, an oscillating body pivoted thereon, a pair of rocker arms articulately supported upon said frame at points remote from the axis of oscillation of said body, means for rock- "body. As the reversal is thus accomplished 1. In combination, a stationary frame, an 1 to said rocker arms at the free ends thereof and having its movement in part controlled by said rocker arms, means for actuating said connecting rod, and auxiliary springs for cooperating with the first mentioned spring to reverse the direction of oscillation of said oscillating body.

I 5; In combination, a stationary frame, an oscillating body pivotally supported thereon, 'a' pair of rocker arms pivotally attached to said frame at points remote from and on opposite sides of the axis of oscillation of said body, a link connecting the free ends of said arm, an actuating springconnected at one end to said link and at the other end to the upper part of said body, a connecting rod and means for actuating the same, said the lower ends of said auxiliary-springs being attached to the lower part of'said stationary frame.

6. In a machine of the class described, the

, porting means upon the frame for supporting said movable element, said supporting means permitting both vertical and longitudinal movement of said movable element and maintaining it always horizontal.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a stationary frame, an oscillating body pivoted thereon and rotatable about a horizontal axis, said axis being below the center of gravity of said body, means for yieldingly holding the body upright with its center of gravity above the pivotal point of support, a movable element, a spring connected to said movable element and said body for actuating the latter, pivoted arms mounted on the frame on opposite sidcs of the axis of oscillation of the body, said arms supporting said movable element and permitting it to move longitudinally and vertically and causing it at all times to maintain a position of horizontality, and means for actuating said movable I element. connecting rod being connected to the lower end of said spring and to said link, and auxiliary springs extending obliquely down ward from said body in opposite directions,

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two 1 witnesses.

HENRY PLETSCH.

' Witnesses:

HOWARD M. Cox, MARGARET D. RoBB,

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 01'. Patent!- Washington, D. C. 

